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Chris Jones

Rugby and tennis correspondent of the Evening Standard for 22 years . Now in Sunday Times, ESPN,Mail on Sunday, Express, Mailonline and RugbyPass.

Steve Diamond slams rivals' 'parasitical behaviour' after latest exit

Newcastle Falcons boss Steve Diamond has branded raids by rival Gallagher Premiership clubs on his international players as “par…

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
26 Nov 2024, 22:19
Interview

'I have bigger aspirations': Callum Chick opens up on his future

As Callum Chick led the Newcastle Falcons in a raucous rendition of Blaydon Races, the song they belt out in the changing rooms af…

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
24 Oct 2024, 18:25

Steve Diamond makes bold Premiership prediction after first win

Newcastle boss Steve Diamond is adamant his players will not finish bottom of the Gallagher Premiership after ending a run of 25 s…

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
22 Oct 2024, 20:32

Steve Diamond wary of the 'hawks' that are 'picking on' Newcastle

Newcastle Falcons boss Steve Diamond has revealed rival Gallagher Premiership clubs are already trying to cherry-pick his squad as…

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
16 Oct 2024, 19:55
Interview

Nick Easter's only proviso as ex-Prem clubs make Championship bids

Former England captain Nick Easter, director of rugby at newly promoted Chinnor, is backing the parachuting of failed clubs London…

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
11 Oct 2024, 17:50
Interview

'That was the first time I ever played against Faz... it was strange'

Mako Vunipola has a wealth of rugby experiences after a trophy-laden career with Saracens but hearing Owen Farrell’s unmistakabl…

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
10 Oct 2024, 19:01

George Skivington: 'Lewis Ludlow has wanted to take my head off'

Ludlow, who has captained Gloucester since 2020, has played more than 200 games for the Cherry and Whites and would expect to lead…

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
09 Oct 2024, 15:32

Radical Diamond 'remedy' implemented at Newcastle after latest loss

Last Saturday’s 10-42 loss to Leicester Tigers at home continued that dreadful run and Diamond’s debrief identified basic erro…

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
08 Oct 2024, 19:53

Afo Fasogbon's 'back it up' warning from boss after Ellis Genge wave

Afolabi Fasogbon has been warned his decision to wave goodbye to Ellis Genge, as the England prop was replaced in Gloucester’s w…

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
02 Oct 2024, 23:07

'This is the first fixture of the season I think we can win' - Diamond

Newcastle Falcons boss Steve Diamond has suffered a double blow in the build-up to the clash with Leicester Tigers but insists "th…

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
01 Oct 2024, 18:50
Interview

Michael Lynagh: 'I got emotional in the dressing room. I found it very difficult'

The towns of Treviso and Townsville are separated by 9,293 miles but linked by their emotional importance to one of the most famou…

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
29 Sep 2024, 17:34

Adam Radwan learning from Jason Robinson as he seeks England recall

Newcastle Falcons flyer Adam Radwan has been studying videos of England wing Chris Ashton, the Gallagher Premiership’s record tr…

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
27 Sep 2024, 16:35

'Tears up a lot of your plans': Skivington on Gloucester injury crisis

Gloucester boss George Skivington has warned the club’s fans there will be more pain before the new look back line featuring Wal…

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
25 Sep 2024, 0:31

English rugby a 'million miles' away from fixing Championship crisis - Paul Turner

Paul Turner, the former Wales outside half, has been working minor miracles in the English Championship with a part-time squad at …

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
20 Sep 2024, 17:02

Sanderson dismisses injury-prone talk as Sale face concerning absentee list

England scrumhalf Raffi Quirke’s debilitating run of serious injuries has required surgery to insert a screw in the wrist that a…

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
19 Sep 2024, 18:55

Newcastle Falcons suffer triple injury and address Callum Chick rumours

Newcastle Falcons, desperate to erase the memory of a winless Gallagher Premiership campaign last season, have suffered a triple i…

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
16 Sep 2024, 21:26
Exclusive

Premiership: Anglo-Welsh, URC merger reports 'wide of the mark'

Premiership rugby chiefs insist there are no ongoing negotiations with other leagues and talk of an imminent Anglo-Welsh competiti…

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
16 Sep 2024, 18:42
Interview

Ali Crossdale relishing competition with gold medallists at Perpignan

“Jefferson-Lee has come in from Agen and he has been amazing in pre-season. I have always enjoyed competition and Jeff has been …

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
06 Sep 2024, 18:28

How Nick Easter is juggling Test and club rugby

Former England captain Nick Easter enjoys a challenge which is why he is currently helping the USA Eagles prepare for their crucia…

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
30 Aug 2024, 17:17
Interview

Mako Vunipola on his new life in France and future clash with Billy

When newly promoted Vannes started selling season tickets for their Top 14 debut, more than 50,000 applied causing the club’s we…

Chris Jones
Chris Jones
20 Aug 2024, 17:26